Lyon striker Karim Benzema has been awarded France’s Player of the Year award. Former winner Zinedine Zidane gave away the trophy to him.

The 20 year-old French soccer player has scored 23 goals during this season and has been considered as one of the key players of the team to perform at Euro 2008 Championships to be held in Austria and Switzerland.

Benzema expressed his happiness to win the trophy, “I never dreamt I would win this trophy, but I am absolutely delighted. What matters most though is scoring for the club’s sake and our target is to win the league and cup double for Lyon for the first time in the club’s history” he said.

A product of the Olympique Lyonnais youth academy, he is very capable of playing as the main striker in Lyon’s preferred 4-3-3 formation, but he can also play on both wings. In the 2006-07 season, after forming an understanding with new manager Alain Perrin, he was given the central role in which he responded with 24 goals in 37 games. On March 13, 2008, Benzema extended his contract with Lyon until 2013 with a 1 year extension option. After signing his new contract, Benzema became the highest paid player in Ligue 1 with 400 000 euros per month. Benzema is a target of many giant clubs, such as Manchester United, FC Barcelona or AC Milan.

Five time world champions Brazil will play friendly matches against Canada and Venezuela in the United States in May and June.

The Brazilian Soccer Confederation revealed the match schedule according to which, Brazil faces Canada in Seattle on May 31. Venezuela will play against Brazil on June 6.

It will be the third and fourth friendlies for the Brazilians.

Brazil beat Ireland 1-0 in Dublin on Feb 6 and gained victory over Sweden in London on March 26 this year.

Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers are against Paraguay will be held on June 14 and against Argentina the 17th of June this year.